Introduction
Anorexia nervosa is a severe emotional, eating disorder that is characterised by a misperception of body image. Individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa have a distorted body image, which means that while they may be extremely underweight, they believe they are overweight. Sufferers also often have an obsessive fear of gaining weight. In popular media anorexia nervosa is shortened to anorexia. It should be noted that anorexia refers simply to having a loss of appetite, while anorexia nervosa is an emotional disorder that leads to appetite suppression.
While there is no specific cause of anorexia nervosa, there are a number of factors that can lead to the disorder, such as severe trauma or emotional stress at the time of puberty, living in a culture that puts a high value on being thin, tendencies toward perfectionism or a family history of the illness. Having parents that do not show emotional warmth, or who are overbearing, controlling or critical can also lead to the development of anorexia nervosa.
The most obvious symptom of anorexia nervosa is drastic changes in weight and the appearance of individuals with the condition. Sufferers undertake extreme measures to maintain their body weight, which may include starvation, purging, excessive exercise and weight-loss drugs. These behaviours can have dangerous affects on the body and can lead to electrolyte imbalance, heart failure, suicide or death from starvation.
Anorexia nervosa can be triggered by a traumatic or stressful event and it is usually accompanied by other emotional difficulties such as depression. The disorder most commonly affects the female population but can affect males as well. Anorexia nervosa is becoming increasingly common, especially among young women in industrialised countries where cultural expectations encourage women to be thin. However the condition is affecting a growing number of men, especially athletes and those in the military, where being lean and thin is important. Anorexia nervosa most commonly appears in adolescence, and affects 3% of teenagers.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy, often in combination with antidepressants, can be a very effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of anorexia nervosa. This type of treatment helps the sufferer to develop a healthy body image and to learn better ways to deal with stress and anxiety. Complementary and alternative methods of treatment such as vitamin supplements can also help to stimulate appetite, and restore nutritional balance.
It can take a person a long time to recover from anorexia nervosa, which is often between 4 and 7 years. People who are recovered often retain traits of the condition, such as remaining very thin and striving for perfection. Developing healthy eating habits and strong, positive body image at a young age are the most effective ways to prevent young people from developing anorexia nervosa.